Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H5021: An Act to expand the doula workforce
Status: In committee, July 23, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 5, 2026:
Chapter 112 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:- Section 298. (a) As used in this section, the following word shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meaning:- A “perinatal doula” or referred to hereafter as "doula”, is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support, but not medical care, for pregnant individuals, surrogates, foster care parents and adoptive parents during and after pregnancy, labor, childbirth, miscarriage, stillbirth or loss. (b) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Maternal Health Justice Fund, hereafter called “the fund,” for the purpose of expanding and managing the doula workforce. The fund shall be administered by the department of public health, referred to hereafter as “the department.” The fund shall be credited with: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; and (ii) funds from non-state entities, including, but not limited to gifts, grants and donations from private entities and local and federal government agencies. Amounts credited to the fund shall not be subject to further appropriation and any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General …
Sponsors
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex)
- Chynah Tyler (D)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026
- : Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
- : New draft of H1333
- : Reported from the committee on Financial Services
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (July 16, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (January 12, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H5021?
- H5021 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to expand the doula workforce.
- What is the status of H5021?
- In committee as of July 23, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (July 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored H5021?
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H5021?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5021
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.